North Melbourne’s Luke Davies-Uniacke has been recognised for his stellar 2024 season, winning his maiden Syd Barker Medal. 

The 25-year-old finished Saturday night’s best and fairest count with 242 votes ahead of second-placed Tristan Xerri (229) and third-placed Harry Sheezel (212), while Paul Curtis (140) and Tom Powell (139) rounded out the top five.

Featuring in every game for the first time in his seven seasons at Arden Street, Davies-Uniacke’s trademark burst out of traffic was on display as he led the Roos’ midfield with 27.7 disposals and 6.3 clearances per game. 

Among his season highlights was a standout performance against Richmond in Round 21, which saw him record 33 disposals, eight clearances and a career-high three goals. 

Davies-Uniacke also claimed the fan-voted Mazda Excellence Award for the second time, previously winning the accolade in 2022. 

Stepping up as the Roos’ primary ruck, Xerri enjoyed a breakout season to finish runner-up.

The 25-year-old achieved career-best numbers in almost every stat across his 23 games in 2024, including a team-high 7.5 tackles and 6.6 clearances per game. 

Xerri was also voted the Glenn Archer Shinboner of the Year by his teammates for his contributions on and off the field. 

After claiming last year’s Syd Barker Medal in his debut season, Sheezel continued his impressive start to his career to finish in third position. 

The 19-year-old played across all three areas of the ground in just his second season at the top level, collecting 30-plus disposals on 11 occasions and kicking 14 goals from 21 games.

Sheezel also took home the Harold Henderson Best Clubman Award, while Colby McKercher was named the club’s Best Young Player.

Taken with the Roos’ top pick and second overall in the 2023 AFL Draft, McKercher averaged 23.8 disposals and 414.5 metres gained off half-back in his first 16 AFL games.

Hugh Greenwood received the Peter Scanlon Community Award for his work as a dedicated ambassador for the Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).

Since 2018, Greenwood has been a driver of BCNA fundraising efforts at each of his three AFL clubs, raising awareness and his sincere support and advocacy to BCNA in honour of his late mother ‘Onny’.

Mark Brayshaw, Geoff Lewis, Christian Wallace also received Life Membership for their service to the club. 

Brayshaw played 32 games for North Melbourne in the early ‘90s before serving on the club’s board from 2007 to 2014, while Lewis was also a board member from 2007 to 2018 and a major sponsor of the club through his business ASG Finance.

Wallace has been a club volunteer since 1995, starting as a statistician and, in more recent years, taking on the role of VFL team manager.

Voting system
Coaches vote individually after each round via a 4, 3, 2, 1 voting system. One vote means a player played their role, while four votes denote a standout best-on-ground performance. Five coaches vote each week, with a player able to receive a maximum of 20 votes in any one game. If two players finish on the same number of votes, a countback is applicable. 

Other award winners

Best Young Player Award – Colby McKercher
Glenn Archer Shinboner of the Year Award – Tristan Xerri
Mazda Excellence Award – Luke Davies-Uniacke
Harold Henderson Best Clubman Award – Harry Sheezel
Peter Scanlon Community Award – Hugh Greenwood
Life Memberships – Mark Brayshaw, Geoff Lewis and Christian Wallace
John Law Medal (VFL Best & Fairest) – Jack Watkins 
VFL Best Clubman Award – Louis Butler